Violence escalates in Bangladesh ahead of elections, with candidates and security officials being targeted.

News Topical, Digital Desk : As campaigning for the February 12 general elections in Bangladesh intensifies, incidents of violence are taking a serious turn across the country. Attacks targeting candidates and security personnel have raised serious concerns about the integrity and security of the electoral process.

According to local media reports, several people have been killed and dozens injured in shootings, stabbings, and vandalism since the start of the election campaign. The country is currently heading into the polls amid a climate of fear and uncertainty, with the international community watching closely for the restoration of democracy.

increased bloody conflict

At least 24 people have been injured in clashes between political activists in five districts since Monday night, according to the latest figures. These incidents mainly involved activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the radical Jamaat-e-Islami.

The situation is so tense that several candidates have filed "General Diaries" (GDs) with the police, citing threats to their lives and requesting special security. The violence is not limited to individuals, but election infrastructure is also being targeted on a large scale.

In several constituencies, rioters have destroyed or looted election offices, vehicles, loudspeakers used for campaigning, and even CCTV cameras installed at polling stations. The current situation raises questions about security arrangements. Following the collapse of the Awami League government, parties that worked together in the interim government are now locked in a power struggle.

The increasing attacks on police and law enforcement agencies have raised questions about the security arrangements for polling day. NCP leader Naseeruddin Patwari has alleged that his office was fired upon and that his campaign is being directly and indirectly disrupted.

Promoting mob violence under the protection of the interim government

The patronage of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is fuelling mob violence in the country, experts warned at an event organised by the Centre for Governance Studies in Dhaka, attended by senior journalists and academics.

He argues that media freedom in Bangladesh is under threat. Journalists face not only insecurity and financial hardship, but also growing pressure from political organizations. The deteriorating law and order situation and increasing restrictions on the press have raised serious questions about the future of democracy.

Meanwhile, US Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, expressing doubts over the fairness of the election, said that amid the declining US involvement and declining democratic support, there is uncertainty about the credibility of the election, which is also a matter of concern for India's regional security.

Read More: Yunus' government has stripped millions of people of their right to vote, prompting Hasina to raise questions ahead of Bangladesh elections.